BRITAIN'S STANDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19976, 19 June 1928, Page 8

BRITAIN'S STANDING.

Returning yesterday to a very cordial welcome after his tour abroad, Sir James Gunson brought encouraging opinions of the commercial strength of Britain. He found, everywhere on the Continent, evidence of British supremacy in standing and influence, and at Home convincing proof of a remarkable revival in trade. His amplification of these impressions, as opportunity oilers, will be greeted with considerable interest, for no one is better qualified to judge the facts with which he became acquainted during his sojourn in Britain and his extensive travel in Europe. To New Zealand this maintenance of British supremacy in financial and political affairs is a matter of great importance, and the marked revival of British trade is a cause of deep satisfaction. By many and close commercial ties this Dominion is attached to Britain, and an experience of material prosperity there is bound to be transmitted to this country. In particular, it means a quickening in our best market of the demand for our staple products, ana ensures the hastening of that return of buoyancy whose approach has been sensed more and more definitely of late. Of especial interest is the estimate formed by Sir James of the qualities of the leaders in British mercantile and political spheres. It is this factor that counts for most, after all, and to be assured that there are none in other countries comparable to them is more than gratifying: it is stimulating. The British way is to indulge sparingly in self-advertisement concerning this sort of thing; rather is it the practice to carry out the work in hand and leave it to tell the kind of men who did it. But a visitor from overseas, schooled to observe both the work and the men employed in it, is entitled to speak frankly of what he sees, and when he speaks with such confident praise his words are to be heeded. Any who may be disposed to pessimism about the commercial outlook will be induced to take heart of grace by the testimony Sir James Gunson has brought back with him, a testimony well buttressed by his citation of notable facts.